Surname: SHEARER my father's side of the family.

My father is one of 7 children born to Aubrey and Mavis Shearer. Aubrey Shearer was born in Petersham 1915 and baptised 9 months later in the Anglican Church St Mathews in Botany bay New South Wales, he was the middle child, one of 9 children (Edward James, William John, David H, Mary Anne, George, Phyllis, Irene and Sydney). Edwards parents were Edward Henry Shearer and Mary Jane. They grew up around Petersham and Bondi, I have collected lots of electoral roll records for Bay street in Bondi. Aubrey was 14 when his older brother David H was killed in an accident at Nepean Dam 30th July 1929. David's death was due to shock and haemorrhage caused by injuries sustained from 6 tonne stone rolling and crushing him while he was at work. David Henry Shearer was 20 years old at the time of his death. 1943 was the year Aubrey married his sweetheart Mavis Gardiner Simpson. Yet the census records show she was living in the Bay street house before their marriage ( Listed as a Simpson) and their first child (daughter) was born 2 months before their marriage! After they were married, They are listed at Beauchamp road Bondi ( The Simpson household where Mavis grew up.) I was told Mavis was looking after her ailing grandmother after the death of her grandfather. They stayed in Bondi and the Marouba area for a few years before heading to the southern suburbs of Cronulla and Kurnell. Aubrey was 34 years old when his mother Mary Jane died and was 41 when his father Edward Henry Shearer died. On the 29th of October 1978, my grandfather Aubrey died. I was a baby but I did get a chance to meet him.Edward Henry Shearer was born in Petersham December 1880 and baptised in January 1881 at 35 Riley St Wolloomooloo in an Anglican parish to David Hepburn Shearer and Margaret Ann Walker, 1 of 9 children. Edward was only 9 years old when his father David died and only 6 when his baby sister Kate and his 4 year old sister Catherine died. The next resource I have has Edward living with his brothers David John and William James in Canterbury at the age of 22. Edward and David's occupation was listed as Labourer and their brother William's was lithographer this was in 1903. Next is Edwards marriage to Mary Jane Emerson ( Although the marriage certificate states Mary Jane Haywood, which now has me thinking that Albert Emerson and Mary Ann Haywood were not married at the time of her birth)in 1905. Edward was 24. 1906 saw the birth of their first child Edward James then came William John, David Henry, Mary Ann and George. 1912, Edward aged 31 had an accident and fell down the stairs at Newtown Train station and transported to Prince Alfred Hospital. he had fractured his skull. 1913 saw the Shearers living in Dulwich Hill, then came the birth of my grandfather Aubrey in 1915 and Phyllis in 1918. Edward was 38 in 1919 when he lost his mother Margaret Ann. 1921 saw their residence at Bay st In Botany. An accident at the Nepean Dam took the life of Edwards son David H, I have enclosed a newspaper article in the blog about this accident. 1949 was the year Edward lost his wife Mary Jane, he was 68 years old. This was around the time my grandmother Mavis was living with the Shearers before she wed my grandfather Aubrey. Edward was 75 years old at the time of his death in 1956. I have as of yet to find the cause. Edwards father David Hepburn Shearer was born in the year 1841 in the Scottish Orkney Islands, Shapinsay. He was born to Peter Shearer and Jane Merriman. I am not sure if it is complete, but I think David was one of three. His brothers are James and William. David left home at an early age for adventure. UK census has David listed as a seaman at the age of 20 and Australian immigration records show David arrived on the Brierley Hill arriving in Sydney 19th July 1862. A keen seaman, David returned to London at in 1865 at the age of 23 and received his Second Mate certificate. arriving back in Australia for a short time, he was back of to the UK for his First Mate certificate in 1866. January 1871 now aged 29, David Hepburn has achieved his Masters certificate from the boards of trade. I have marina records for an inbound list of the Halley Bayley in 1884 with David Hepburn listed as Master for the 13 tonne ship. That is jumping the timeline a little, David Married Margaret Ann Walker on the 1st of April 1874 at the brides family home. there is a newspaper article in the Sydney Mail dated Saturday 25 April 1874 with the announcement. Census in 1877 show David and Margret were residing on Surrey St Sydney ( Now Darlinghurst) followed by the birth of their 7 children and the death of Hepburn in 1880 aged 1. The next census has the Shearers living at Dulwich st Petersham in 1883. At the age of 44 on the 8 February 1886 David Hepburn passed away. I have uploaded in my blog newspaper articles relating to David Hepburn, his certificates and other bits I have found on him.